Animal Keeper

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Animal Keeper position is located at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) at the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Washington, DC. The incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of animals.

In this position, you will :

Assist higher graded Animal Keepers in performing a variety of tasks associated with the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of while and exotic animals.

Clean animal enclosures by hosing, sweeping, scrubbing, raking, and removing manure, unconsumed food, and other refuse.

Receives training and developmental assignments in the receipt, storage, inspection, inventory, preparation and issuance of food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials. Unloads and stores food supplies. As instructed and under close supervision prepares animal diets according to standard procedures.

Keeps service areas and adjacent public areas clean.

Experience Required

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSRequires the ability to catch and handle docile animals by hand or by using nets without injuring the animals or endangering oneself.Requires familiarity with a range of animal species in order to identify them by natural markings.Requires skill and ability to carry out routine animal keeper duties.Requires ability to understand instructions given by higher-level animal keeper personnel.

Further Comments

Perks

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Salary

hour